Co-op is
credit-earning course that combines classroom learning with practical "on
the job" experience. The job placement is based on a partnership between
the school and a business or community organization. Students can expand
their interests and explore their career options while earning 2, 3, or 4 co-op
credits towards their Ontario Secondary School Diploma.
Aurora High School is
proud to offer the following specialized programs that include a co-op
placement:
Specialist High Skills
Major (SHSM)
Aurora High School
offers 5 SHSM pathways to enhance a career path that matches a student's skills
and interests. These specialized programs enable students to take
interest-based courses together with experiential learning in a SHSM
sector.
- Arts & Culture
- Business
- Construction
- Health & Wellness
- Transportation
Students enrolled in
any of these programs will:
· Complete a specific bundle of 8-10 courses in the student's
selected sector
· Earn valuable industry
certifications, including WHMIS, working at heights, virus transmission
mitigation, counterfeit detection, customer service and project management as
well as first aid and CPR qualifications and AED training
· Participate in reach
ahead opportunities, post-secondary fast track programs and specific field
trips to industry partners
· Enroll in dual credit
(earn both a college and high school credit) opportunities at Seneca and
Centennial Colleges
· Gain important on-the
job skills
Militia Co-op - Army
Reserves
This is a four-credit
program that runs in semester 2 only. Students will gain their
Basic Military Qualification (BMQ) and Soldier Qualification (SQ) courses upon
successful completion. The application and testing process is the same as
for all Canadian Forces applicants. This includes, but is not limited to, a
fitness test, a medical examination, an aptitude test, and a formal interview
with a Canadian Armed Forces Recruitment Officer. Students are encouraged
to continue in the Army Reserves after program completion.
Ontario Youth
Apprenticeship (OYAP)
An OYAP student earns
cooperative education credits and gains experience in a skilled trade.
Students accumulate workplace hours that count towards both secondary school
co-op credits and the requirements of an apprenticeship program. To
participate in OYAP, students must be at least 16 years old and have earned a
minimum of 16 credits towards their diploma.
Accelerated OYAP
The Accelerated OYAP
program is offered in the final (2nd) semester of a student's high school
program. Offered as a 4 credit (full day) co-op timetable, the program includes
in-school training delivered by a college or training facility to obtain a
Level 1 apprenticeship. Opportunities are available for general carpenter,
automotive service technician, residential air-conditioning systems mechanic,
cook, baker, electrician construction & maintenance, plumber, and child
development practitioner (formerly ECE).
It is highly
recommended that students interested in participating in Accelerated OYAP take
at least a 2 credit co-op program in the trade prior to applying.
Benefits of a Co-op
Placement:
Co-op provides students an opportunity to:
·
Develop knowledge,
skills, and attitudes through hands-on experience
·
Explore a career in
order to make informed educational and career decisions
·
Develop maturity and
self-confidence
·
Strengthen
employability skills
·
Develop networking
opportunities
·
Earn credits towards a
diploma; co-op credits count towards the Group 1, 2, and 3 diploma requirements
·
Complete the program
requirements of the Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM)
·
Participate in
specialized programs such as OYAP, Accelerated OYAP or military
·
Enhance a résumé for post-secondary programs (where a supplemental application or portfolio is required)
What type of student is ideally
suited to co-op?
Geared
for students in Grade 11 and 12, co-op is for students who want to explore
a career. While on placement, students gain valuable work experience
and earn academic credits that count toward their high
school diploma. If enrolled in a SHSM program, students could even
earn credit towards a post-secondary program.
Job
opportunities are available for students interested in all pathways - university,
college, apprenticeship and workplace.
Who is in
the Co-op Department? - drop in and see us in room
222!
Suzanne Ashby -
Department Head
Email: suzanne.ashby@yrdsb.ca
Voicemail Extension - 172
Vincenzo Fragomeni
email: vincenzo.fragomeni@yrdsb.ca
Kerin Harding
email:
kerin.harding@yrdsb.ca
voicemail
extension - 424